agave

American  

[uh-gah-vee, uh-gey-] / əˈgɑ vi, əˈgeɪ- /

noun

1. any of numerous American plants belonging to the genus Agave, of the agave family, species of which are cultivated for economic or ornamental purposes: A. arizonica, of central Arizona, is an endangered species.

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agave British  

/ ˈæɡeɪv, əˈɡeɪvɪ /

noun

1. any plant of the genus Agave , native to tropical America, with tall flower stalks rising from a massive, often armed, rosette of thick fleshy leaves: family Agavaceae. Some species are the source of fibres such as sisal or of alcoholic beverages such as pulque and tequila See also century plant

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Etymology

Origin of agave

< New Latin (Linnaeus) < Greek agauḗ, feminine of agauós noble, brilliant

Compare meaning

How does agave compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• blue agave vs. agave
• maguey vs. agave

Example Sentences

One is the charming pueblo in foothills lined with neat rows of agave cactus.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

On Camino Escalante, Guthrie’s squat, orange brick house is set back from the road behind a lawn planted with prickly pear, agave, cholla and yucca.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

Caporale suggests adding agave nectar to sweeten the lime juice base, along with orange juice or orange peel to compensate for the lack of triple sec.

From Salon • Jan. 18, 2026

Teuchitlán is a bustling agricultural hub of 40,000 near the touristy “tequila route,” a road lined with expanses of sugar cane and agave, the spiky plant that yields tequila.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2025

Some bushes and agave stalks were growing at the bottom of its smooth, round depth.

From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young